About Beyond Borders

In today's business climate, the barrier to entry for small business is getting higher. The core of any business and industry is structure and operations and without it, you can find yourself growing a business at an unhealthy pace. A business owner must be agile in today's climate as well as able to forecast future performance within the market.

You must be able to see the vision, create a plan, hire the right team and execute as a unit. This is why Beyond Borders is here. We believe that in order to become a star or a success in business, you must be able to master leadership, business operations and performance at your highest level.

Our team has over 20 years of experience with growing small businesses and leaders. We help you reach higher levels of performance.

Barbara Borders

Barbara Borders is a devoted mother, award-winning entrepreneur, and powerhouse business coach who has spent more than three decades helping people grow, lead, and win in life and business.

As CEO and founder of Higher Learning Child Care Academy, a 5-star, award-winning center she built from her home into a thriving academy, Barbara has created a nurturing space where children flourish, parents feel supported, and educators are developed as leaders. Her work has earned recognition including the Cleveland County Chamber Zenith Award and the Minority Development Small Business of the Year Award.

Through Beyond Borders Business Coaching, Barbara now brings that same excellence, structure, and heart to entrepreneurs. With 15+ years of business consulting experience, she specializes in helping vision-driven business owners gain clarity, build systems, and create sustainable growth. She is also a sought-after coordinator and instructor for a local leadership academy, where she develops emerging leaders and equips them to serve their communities with confidence and integrity.

Barbara’s impact has been highlighted in major media outlets, including features in Sheen Magazine and Black Enterprise, where her story of faith, perseverance, and business success continues to inspire others. She is a Certified Transformational Trainer and a proud member of the John Maxwell Leadership Team, combining proven leadership principles with practical, real-world strategy.

A highly requested keynote speaker and licensed minister, Barbara is known for her warm, down-to-earth style, her ability to “tell the truth in love,” and her gift for turning ideas into action plans. Whether she’s coaching one-on-one, leading a workshop, or training a room full of leaders, her mission is the same: to help people break through fear, embrace their calling, and build beyond what they thought was possible.

Above all, Barbara treasures her family—her sons Ian, Michael, and Matthew, her daughter-in-law Olivia, and her granddaughters Gianna and Gabriella. Her unwavering dedication to faith, family, education, business, and community makes her a trusted mentor, coach, and leader that people are proud to work with and follow.